Shu Qiang was on the verge of exploding when he heard what Shu Er said.
He had personally witnessed his proud older sister, Shu Er, break down in tears, begging her mother to let her stay. He had never seen his once-proud and elegant sister cry so pitifully and helplessly. To him, she was always dignified, confident, and poised—certainly not like the weak figure he had seen that morning.
Their mother had hesitated, her heart softening at first, but in the end, she had no choice but to leave with her.
Shu Qiang blamed all of this on Shu Er.
It was Shu Er who had driven his sister away. But why? Surely, they could have lived under the same roof together, couldn’t they? Was Shu Er really so petty that she couldn’t even tolerate Shu Er?
At just twelve years old, Shu Qiang didn’t understand the larger principles at play, but he clung to one belief: his sister could have stayed.
He ran to Liu Yan, tugging at the hem of her clothes, fuming as he complained, “Mom, look at her!”
Shu Er had no interest in wasting time on Shu Qiang. She gestured for Liu Yan’s assistant to follow her upstairs.
The assistant carried all the spoils from her shopping trip that day.
With her arms crossed, Shu Er asked Liu Yan casually, “Mom, which room is mine? Oh, and I’m not staying in the room Shu Er used to live in.”
Shu Er called Liu Yan “Mom” so naturally, without a hint of awkwardness, as though she had effortlessly adapted to this new life.
This infuriated Shu Qiang even more, making him puff up like an angry pufferfish.
How could she adjust so quickly? How could she call her “Mom” so confidently, so righteously? Even if she wanted to stay in his sister’s room, he wouldn’t allow it!
Liu Yan responded, “Your room has already been prepared. Aunt Zhang, please take her to the second floor.”
The mentioned Aunt Zhang stepped forward, “Yes, ma’am.”
Shu Er motioned for Liu Yan’s assistant to follow, and she straightened her back, walking confidently towards her new room.
Once there, Shu Er had Aunt Zhang place her newly purchased clothes into the empty wardrobe.
Meanwhile, Shu Er busied herself inspecting her new room and bathroom.
Aunt Zhang stole a glance at Shu Er, wondering if she would ask how to use the shower. The bathroom, equipped with modern and relatively advanced amenities, might be unfamiliar to someone like Shu Er, who hadn’t grown up with such luxuries.
Within no time, Aunt Zhang had efficiently sorted and hung Shu Er’s clothes. The shoe cabinet, however, had only two pairs of shoes so far, looking quite lonely.
After tidying up, Aunt Zhang asked respectfully, “Miss, is there anything else you need?”
While inspecting the bathroom, Shu Er responded, “No, that will be all.”
Then, almost offhandedly, she muttered, “This bathtub is so basic, not even the latest model—last year’s version, really?”
Shu Er had always been particular about quality of life, and knowing she’d be moving back to the Shu household, she had done her research on the latest products in this world.
She crossed her arms and casually leaned against the wall, and asked, “Is my brother’s room equipped with last year’s model as well?”
Aunt Zhang, at first taken aback, stammered, “Yes… it is.”
Shu Er tilted her head, continuing, “And has this room been renovated recently?”
Her gaze was piercing, and Aunt Zhang instinctively lowered her eyes, replying stiffly, “No, it hasn’t.”
“Oh.” Shu Er responded nonchalantly, her expression tinged with disdain.
Aunt Zhang’s view of Shu Er was quickly upended. This girl was nothing like she had imagined.
Aunt Zhang had expected Shu Er, coming from a modest background, to feel overwhelmed by the grandeur of the three-story villa, the giant chandelier in the living room, the priceless paintings and antiques on the walls, and the expensive furniture. Perhaps other young girls would feel both awe and insecurity, finding themselves out of place in such an environment.
But Shu Er? She was completely at ease.
In fact, she seemed to be mildly displeased with her new living conditions.
As for emotions like desire, excitement, or greed? They were nowhere to be seen on Shu Er’s face.
She didn’t act like someone from a humble upbringing at all.
But Liu Yan had no reason to lie.
Aunt Zhang sighed, sensing that life in the Shu household was about to get much more interesting—likely filled with plenty of drama.
Noticing that Aunt Zhang still hadn’t left, Shu Er glanced at her and prompted, “Is there something else?”
Aunt Zhang shook her head, “No, nothing.”
“Then you may go.”
“Okay.”
Once Aunt Zhang had left, Shu Er took a long, comfortable bath and changed into the new lingerie she had bought that day.
After blow-drying her hair, she went downstairs for dinner. Shu Qiang wasn’t around, but Shu Er didn’t mind. She enjoyed her meal in peace and then went back upstairs to sleep.
The next morning was still the National Day holiday. Shu Er slept in until nine o’clock before getting up to wash up.
She styled her hair into a bun, secured with a pearl hair clip—a branded one that cost Liu Yan a few thousand yuan the previous day.
Yesterday, time was not abundant, so Shu Er only bought this hairpin, but it was enough for the time being.
She picked a knee-length skirt to change into, and after she finished dressing up, she slowly went downstairs in slippers.
When she went downstairs, she found that there were already guests at home.
Aunt Zhang, probably knowing that Shu Er was not an easy character, took the initiative to explain a few words, showing obvious goodwill to Shu Er. “Miss, these two are… friends of the former Miss Shu Er, Miss Li Mo, and Miss Xu Lan.”
The names Li Mo and Xu Lan were not unfamiliar to Shu Er.
As Shu Er’s (book FL) good friends, they used to hang out together every day. However, from the perspective of Shu Er (MC), it was more appropriate to say they were Shu Er’s lackeys rather than true friends.
Did Shu Er (book FL) have any friends she treated sincerely?
It seemed not.
She just needed people to flatter her and shower her with rainbow farts.
So what were these two doing here today? To show off their power? To provoke her on Shu Er’s (book FL’s) behalf? Or were they here to vent Shu Er’s (book FL’s) anger?
Shu Er touched her hungry stomach and ignored the two for the time being. She said, “Aunt Zhang, please serve me breakfast first. I like traditional Chinese breakfast—buns, soy milk, fried dough sticks, etc. Please bring me some.”
Aunt Zhang replied, “Okay.”
As soon as Shu Er finished speaking, a mocking voice reached her ears.
Li Mo said sarcastically, “Some people can only eat Chinese breakfast. Does she even know what Eggs Benedict is? Or a seafood bowl? Haha.”
Xu Lan covered her mouth and added, “She definitely doesn’t. She probably hasn’t even heard of them.”
“Then she’s really pitiful.”
After that, the two of them chuckled at the same time.
Aunt Zhang watched silently as she served Shu Er her breakfast. Shu Er drank a bowl of soy milk without changing her expression. When Li Mo and Xu Lan thought Shu Er was just a soft pushover, pretending not to hear their ridicule, Shu Er suddenly threw the cup of soy milk in front of them.
Afterward, Shu Er picked up a wet towel from the table and wiped her mouth. “What are you laughing at?” Shu Er thought it was absurd that these two could be so ignorant as to think something as trivial as breakfast could be a point of pride. How little must they know to boast about things she never even cared about?
The cup shattered in front of Li Mo and Xu Lan, and ceramic fragments scattered on the ground, some landing near their feet.
The living room was filled with the sound of breaking ceramic.
Li Mo screamed, “What are you doing?!”
Shu Er smiled, her tone calm. “Teaching you a lesson.”
Li Mo kept screaming.
Xu Lan glared at Shu Er viciously and snapped, “Who do you think you are? How dare you teach us a lesson?”
Shu Er wasn’t angry. She replied slowly, “Because I’m the eldest daughter of the Shu family. And who are you?”
Then Shu Er added, “Oh, Aunt Zhang, don’t let them in again. They’re Shu Er’s (book FL’s) friends, not mine. I don’t want to see anything or anyone related to Shu Er (book FL) anymore.”
Xu Lan stood up from the sofa in the living room, “You won’t stay proud for long! Uncle and Aunt raised Shu Er (book FL) for seventeen years. Those feelings aren’t fake. How could they bear to let Shu Er suffer? She’ll return to this home sooner or later.”
Shu Er tilted her head and smiled. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think she’ll be coming back.”
“You!”
Shu Er was already getting impatient. “Where are the security guards? Why haven’t you thrown them out yet?”
Her tone was far from polite.
Li Mo raised her head high, her voice shrill and on the verge of breaking. “We can leave by ourselves! Haha, just you wait and see!”
“Let’s see how long you can stay so proud!”
After Li Mo and Xu Lan left, Shu Er resumed her breakfast, her expression calm, showing no signs of being affected by their presence.
The servants nearby felt that they had gained a deeper understanding of Shu Er.
No one would dare to mess with or bully her anymore.
While Shu Er was eating meat buns, Shu Qiang appeared out of nowhere.
He frowned at her, his tone slightly disapproving. “You’re really so rude.”
He had seen the scene earlier. Li Mo and Xu Lan were causing trouble at home. Originally, he thought about stepping in and saying something, but he later realized there was no need for him to appear. Shu Er alone was more than enough to deal with the two of them.
Shu Er wasn’t bothered by his comment at all. “Yeah, well, I didn’t grow up in this house. I grew up in the countryside. I can climb trees, catch fish, and, of course, I’m great at cursing.”
The last four words were said deliberately to scare Shu Qiang.
It wasn’t entirely true, but it wasn’t entirely false either.
To her surprise, she actually managed to scare Shu Qiang.
Perhaps it was her fierce behavior last night, or just now, that matched her self-evaluation of being “great at cursing,” so Shu Qiang didn’t dare say anything more for the moment.
Shu Er immediately knew Shu Qiang’s level of confidence.
It was just four words, nothing to worry about.
Shu Er ignored Shu Qiang and slowly finished her breakfast.
The habit of eating a traditional Chinese breakfast was something she picked up in her previous life. Her parents liked this kind of food, so she grew accustomed to it and never wanted to change.
After finishing her meal, Shu Er decided to take a walk around the villa to digest her food.
As she reached the second floor, she heard the sound of a piano coming from one of the rooms. She paused for a moment and walked toward the source of the music.
Shu Qiang hadn’t closed the door, so as soon as she reached the doorway, she saw him practicing the piano in his private music room.
Shu Er crossed her arms and leaned against the doorframe, quietly listening.
To be honest, Shu Qiang’s piano skills were already quite good for his age.
So when the piece ended, Shu Er clapped enthusiastically.
Hearing the applause, Shu Qiang instinctively turned around. When he saw that it was Shu Er clapping, he hesitated for two seconds before asking, “Do you even understand?”
She didn’t know what Shu Qiang was imagining, but he somehow assumed that she couldn’t understand the piano at all.
Shu Er decided to take back the compliment she had just mentally given him. Not only would she take it back, but she would also grind down his arrogance.
“Your piano skills are good, but only just good.”
At his age, Shu Qiang was most competitive.
He was used to private lessons costing hundreds of dollars per session with a renowned instructor in the industry. From a young age, he had received endless praise, which made him proud and confident.
The most common things he heard were, “Xiao Shu plays so well. He’s going to be the next Liszt, isn’t he?” and “Such beautiful music coming from a twelve-year-old boy, it’s unbelievable.”
“Xiao Shu has a bright future ahead of him.”
But he had never heard anyone say, “just good.”
Shu Qiang glanced at Shu Er skeptically, deep down believing she was just pretending to understand.
Shu Er could instantly read the doubt in his eyes. “Not convinced?”
Shu Qiang nodded, “Not convinced.”
Shu Er grinned. “Showing off technique? I can do that too.”
Shu Qiang immediately offered his seat, “Then you go ahead.”
Shu Er unceremoniously took his seat.
Since she was showing off, Shu Er chose “Carmen Variations”. This piece had extremely demanding finger work, something that beginners or those with inadequate skills could never play.
But just showing off technique wasn’t enough. If it was just about skill, by the time Shu Qiang reached her age, he would likely be at her level of proficiency. She couldn’t let him think that her only advantage was age and experience.
In her past life, Shu Er had also studied under famous teachers, but she had to admit that Shu Qiang had no lack of talent. When she was twelve, she had only been slightly better than him.
So, to truly impress Shu Qiang, it wasn’t enough to display technical skills. She had to show something more.
Shu Er placed her fingers on the keys, and the notes began to flow from her fingertips.
At first, Shu Qiang didn’t think much of it, but as the piece progressed, his expression changed. The difference between her playing and his was clear.
From a technical standpoint alone, Shu Qiang believed the only thing separating him from Shu Er was time. When he reached her age, he would surely have her level of skill as well.
But hearing Shu Er’s performance, he realized that while he was simply playing the notes, Shu Er was not.
She was playing music. Her sound was freer, more lively, as if it had a soul of its own and had come to life.
Music with soul and music without soul were worlds apart.
Even after Shu Er withdrew her hands, Shu Qiang remained silent for a long time.
“Well? Convinced?”
Shu Qiang replied awkwardly, “Convinced.”
He began to think he might have misunderstood Shu Er. Someone who could play such joyful and free-spirited notes couldn’t be a bad person.
She was more like an understanding little fairy.
So, he couldn’t understand why Shu Er held such hostility toward Shu Er and wouldn’t let her stay in the house.
Shu Qiang murmured, “I grew up with my sister. She’s always been very good to me and took care of me. I like her a lot.”
Shu Er simply responded with an “Oh.”
“So, could you maybe like her too?”
Shu Er replied bluntly, “No.”
Shu Qiang decided to retract his earlier thought about her being a considerate little fairy.
He felt a bit wronged and confused. At twelve years old, his mind couldn’t grasp the complexity, so he asked, “Why not?”
“People are complicated. Hearts can’t stand up to scrutiny,” Shu Er said as she stood and stretched lazily. She patted Shu Qiang on the shoulder, adding, “You’ll understand when you grow up, kid.”
“Can I still see her in the future?” Shu Qiang asked.
“That’s your business. It has nothing to do with me.”
“Can I still call her sister?”
“Nothing to do with me.”
“If she’s having a hard time, can I give her my allowance?”
“Nothing to do with me.”
This sister seemed kind of cool.
Shu Qiang glanced at Shu Er again and awkwardly muttered, “I think I might like you a little bit now.”
The fact that she didn’t stop him from interacting with Shu Er made Shu Qiang feel like Shu Er wasn’t as bad as he had imagined.
Shu Er simply replied, “Oh.”
Shu Er didn’t really care whether Shu Qiang liked her or not. When she played the piano earlier, she had just been following her own instincts, doing what she wanted, without any intention of pleasing Shu Qiang.
Shu Qiang then added quietly, “Mom and Dad seem like they want to change your name.”
“Oh.”
Names were trivial to Shu Er. If they wanted to give her a new one, she didn’t mind.
“There’s going to be a family dinner tonight.”
“Mm.”
Liu Yan had already informed Shu Er about it. After all, now that she had returned to the Shu family, as a Shu family member, it was necessary for the family to get acquainted with her new face.
“Are you nervous?”
Shu Qiang was about to offer to comfort her and help her out if she was nervous, but before he could say anything, Shu Er calmly replied, “Not nervous.”
Shu Qiang responded dryly, “Oh.”
Shu Er patted his shoulder. “Even though I’m not nervous or scared, thanks anyway.”
The outfit she was supposed to wear tonight was specially sent over by Liu Yan’s assistant.
Since it was just a family dinner and didn’t require anything too formal, Liu Yan had only asked the assistant to bring a simple dress for Shu Er.
Without a stylist, Shu Er had to handle her makeup herself. She applied mascara and lipstick. With her naturally good looks, even without heavy makeup, she was more beautiful than 99% of women with full makeup. The mascara and lipstick were more than enough.
She braided her hair and slipped on a pair of crystal heels.
Just as Shu Er finished dressing, Shu Qiang poked his fluffy little head into the room.
Shu Er stood straight, facing the mirror, adjusting her outfit without looking back.
For some reason, Shu Qiang suddenly felt that this version of Shu Er was like a completely different person.
Yesterday and today, although Shu Er had acted arrogant and overbearing the entire time, there hadn’t been much distance between her and others. She had behaved like an ordinary girl from a regular family—though a bit brash, she had been grounded.
But now, Shu Er’s face seemed as if it were masked, her elegance fully on display. She exuded a distinguished aura with a faint sense of distance.
Looking at her, she seemed like a true socialite.
If Shu Qiang hadn’t known Shu Er’s background, he might have thought she was the pampered daughter of some affluent family.
Shu Er slowly rose from her chair.
When she was seated, the impression wasn’t as strong. But the moment she stood, with her high heels accentuating her poise, her presence felt even more refined and aristocratic.
Shu Qiang thought Shu Er seemed more like a socialite than his own sister.
Shu Er turned her head slowly, her posture graceful, speaking at an unhurried pace, “Have the guests arrived?”
They say high heels are a woman’s battle gear, capable of adding more than just a bit of confidence.
When Shu Er’s aura was in full force, she already carried a queen-like presence, intimidating in her own right. And now, wearing her eight-centimeter stilettos, that impression was only magnified.
Shu Qiang was still a bit stunned, taking a moment to respond, “Almost everyone’s here.”
He still couldn’t understand how one person could have two completely different faces. When it came to being brash and loud, Shu Er outdid everyone. But when it came to putting on airs, no one could match her in that either.
READ ADVANCE CHAPTERS ON MY KO-FI!
